Workflow
中国稀土往事,尊严与梦想!
首席商业评论·2025-06-13 04:28

Core Viewpoint - China's rare earths are crucial materials for manufacturing permanent magnets, significantly impacting products like high-speed motors. The country has various strategies to leverage its resources effectively [1]. Group 1: Historical Context and Development - In the 1980s, Wang Zhenxi developed sintered NdFeB magnets, breaking foreign technology monopolies with a magnetic energy product of 38 MGOe [7]. - China has the world's largest rare earth reserves, accounting for approximately 30%-40% of global resources, but faced technological monopolies from the US, France, and Japan in the 1960s [17]. - The breakthrough in rare earth separation technology by Xu Guangxian in the 1970s led to China dominating the market, achieving 90% market share by 1990 [20]. Group 2: Current Market Dynamics - As of 2023, China produced 61% of the world's rare earth resources and holds 92% of the global refining capacity [14]. - The competition has shifted from separation processing to manufacturing high-performance permanent magnet materials, particularly NdFeB magnets, which are widely used in various industries [22][24]. - Chinese companies like Zhongke Sanhuan have made significant advancements, with over 200 patents, including more than 60 invention patents covering core technologies in rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing [27]. Group 3: International Relations and Trade - The US heavily relies on China for rare earth imports, with 70% of its rare earth compounds and metals sourced from China between 2020 and 2023 [48]. - The geopolitical landscape has led to increased tensions, with the US government implementing tariffs and export controls on rare earth elements [48]. - Chinese companies are expanding their global footprint, with investments in foreign rare earth mines, such as the Mountain Pass mine in the US, which exports nearly 50,000 tons of rare earth concentrates to China annually [37]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The demand for high-performance rare earth materials is expected to grow, particularly in sectors like electric vehicles and robotics, with companies like Jinli Permanent Magnet planning new factories in Mexico [42]. - The ongoing competition and technological advancements in rare earth processing and manufacturing will continue to shape the industry landscape, with Chinese firms actively participating in global supply chains [46].